PGRN-PiLS ResourceA stem cell tactic to promote personalized medicine

The Pharmacogenomics iPSC Library and Service (PiLS), based at University of Florida, Center for Cellular Reprogramming, is the first resource of its kind that provides PGRN members the ability to access and contribute towards iPSC library for pharmacogenomics research. ​

Projects selected for 2018

Based on scientific merits and feasibility of the project, two projects have been selected for the pilot gene editing service described below:

NFE2L2 mediated regulatory networks in CYP3A gene expression, by Danxin Wang at Ohio State University

Role of CEP72 in vincristine-induced persistent neuropathy, by Eileen Dolan at the University of Chicago

PGRN Pharmacogenomics iPSC Library and Service (PiLS), is seeking applications for pilot projects, to utilize gene edited iPSC clones for SNP validation studies for pharmacogenomics research. Three projects will be selected for service at minimal cost to the investigators.​

​ July 2018 – Expected shipment of the gene-edited iPSC lines to the investigators

Gene editing strategies

Our Resource

Service Options

For researchers who have full iPSC work competence: Upon request, we provide iPSC clones with SNP database information, plus updated and most efficient gene editing/differentiation protocols.

For researchers who have partial iPSC work competence: All services in #1 above plus connecting them to a local iPSC core. We are well connected to national iPSC core networks, for example through Stem Cell COREdinates, where we exchange material, protocols and advice.

For researchers who have little iPSC work competence: All services in #1 and #2 above plus providing gene editing and/or differentiation service at the PiLS Core. In this case, we charge the cost to the researchers and perform the service on a collaboration basis.

Pilot Gene Editing Service

We also requested a budget to conduct a pilot service to generate gene targeted iPSC clones for 3 selected projects. Projects will be recruited through announcement at the PGRN Hub as well as by the parental NIGMS website. Those 3 projects (at least 2 external) will be selected by a selection committee, based on significance and feasibility of the projects. We will generate gene targeted iPSC lines here at the University of Florida and then ship them to project leaders’ institutes for further studies. Each project leader will cover the cost of vector generation (approximately $2,000 per project) and shipment.

Cost

iPSC clone: $100/vial plus shipping cost

Gene editing and differentiation protocols: Free

Gene editing and differentiation service: Contact us for the price

Conditions

PiLS iPSC library will be generated from genotyped healthy control samples of a cell bank established at the University of Florida. This original cell bank was established from salvaged samples from the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) (ref http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19956093), an international consortium established to identify the genes and alleles that contribute to risk for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

The biosamples to be used were recruited with informed consent as part of the NIDDK/NIAID/NHGRI/NICHD supported Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC). The consent forms include approvals for biobanking and repository use and, indeed, biospecimens and data from the study are available to the research community through the NIDDK Repository. Based on this concern, we have consulted with NIDDK staffs who review requests for NIDDK Repository samples from the T1DGC and they agree that our proposed use of samples for this PGRN resource is an acceptable use under the terms of the consent and the rules of the T1DGC. ​As with the distribution of any biosamples, users will be required to observe certain conditions based upon the original informed consent language, but none of these are particularly onerous or would limit any legitimate research use of the samples. Specifically, all investigators obtaining samples from this Resource will need to have local IRB review and approval for their studies, not attempt to identify study subjects, not redistribute biospecimens to third parties, and agree to destroy all samples if a subject elects to withdraw from the original T1DGC study at some future date.